Vehicle recall question

[slonezp]

Ford issued a recall for the "Death Wobble" on their Super Duty trucks. It's good for the first 150K miles. I have half that on mine and have never experienced the "Death Wobble".
Would you have an issue fix that doesn't exist?
If you don't know what the death wobble is

 

[Woody B]

I'd go ahead and get it fixed.  Anything can amplify it.  Sometime, really good balanced tires can cover it up.  It's usually caused by looseness in a suspension or steering part somewhere.   Ford had that problem with their F350's back in the late 80's.  

[flyfisher]

Death wobble was common on jeeps when they first went over to coil springs and people were lifting them without the knowledge of steering geometry.  

I'd go ahead and get it fixed.

[slonezp]

4 minutes ago, Woody B said:

I'd go ahead and get it fixed.  Anything can amplify it.  Sometime, really good balanced tires can cover it up.  It's usually caused by looseness in a suspension or steering part somewhere.   Ford had that problem with their F350's back in the late 80's.  

From what I understand, the problem has been around forever with all the trucks equipped with a solid front axle. They have finally admitted it's an issue. My hesitation is...the "Break the seal" idea. That once they start messing with it, I'm going to have more problems from a truck that has been almost trouble free the last 5 years.

[flyfisher]

2 minutes ago, slonezp said:

From what I understand, the problem has been around forever with all the trucks equipped with a solid front axle. They have finally admitted it's an issue. My hesitation is...the "Break the seal" idea. That once they start messing with it, I'm going to have more problems from a truck that has been almost trouble free the last 5 years.

Do recalls expire per se or can you just ignore it till you need to address it?

[slonezp]

8 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

Do recalls expire per se or can you just ignore it till you need to address it?

10 years or 150K

[Hammer 4]

Get it Fixed...

[looking45]

Why take a chance this will occur later, possibly after the recall

period. It’s a free fix now. My vehicle had an air bag recall. I had it done even though I had no problems. There’s a recall for a reason

[Glenn]

I don't understand why you wouldn't get a known problem fixed.  Seems like you're just "hoping" the problem goes away.

 

Good luck with that.

[slonezp]

55 minutes ago, Glenn said:

I don't understand why you wouldn't get a known problem fixed.  Seems like you're just "hoping" the problem goes away.

 

Good luck with that.

The "known" problem has affected X amount of trucks with a solid front axle going back, maybe 40+ years from what I understand. Were it that widespread of a problem, it would have been fixed/recalled a long time ago. I'm not having a problem. My thought is, If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

 

I also don't necessarily trust dealership mechanics. A mechanic that gets paid on book time rather than hourly, may be more worried about getting paid his fair share, than repairing a truck that doesn't have an issue.

[CountryboyinDC]

Death wobble isn't unique to Ford Superduties.  It can happen to any 4wd with a solid front axle, as you tead. You'd think it'd be easy to figure out, but it isn't, even it you have a lift and someone helping you.  So you end up starting with the track bar and just keep replacing stuff with tie rod ends, ball joints, etc. in a trial-and error sort of way.  If they're doing a recall, they know what component is likely to cause it on yours.  With a truck with 75k miles in it from the Chicago area, you can crawl under it and figure out what they replaced/if they replaced it pretty easy too.  Yes, there are unscrupulous mechanics in the world, but at some point you're going to have to use them, as it doesn't sound like you do all the knuckle busting yourself.  If the death wobble comes on, sometimes you can't go 25 mph.  Think about it.

[BigAngus752]

19 hours ago, slonezp said:

Were it that widespread of a problem, it would have been fixed/recalled a long time ago.

That's not correct.  This problem will always exist in the design of this type of front axle/suspension and you cannot have certain characteristics in a vehicle using any other type of front axle/suspension, so if you want your heavy towing truck or your "flexy" off-road truck or Jeep you will always have a solid front axle using a drag-link/track bar design. 

 

I have fixed bump steer and death wobble on the Jeeps of family, friends, and friends of friends to the tune of more than I can count.  No one is going to "break the seal" on anything.  Ford has found that either slightly changing the geometry or using bushing made out of a different material or maybe installing a steering damper will fix or delay this.  You don't have it.  When your bushings wear more you will. 

 

I know you are a reasonable guy because you've been on here a long time so I can't figure your intent here.  Everyone has suggested the repair and you have argued with everyone.  Why ask?  It's your truck.  If you are worried about the dealer fix just don't do it.  You'll have a lot of wobble one day and you can fix it then.  You may have to pay for it if you're past 150,000 miles, but it's not an expensive fix.

15 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

So you end up starting with the track bar and just keep replacing stuff with tie rod ends, ball joints, etc. in a trial-and error sort of way.

It's actually easy to diagnose exactly where the issue is if you know how to do it.  Takes two people and 60 seconds for me to find the problem when I'm lucky. Other times it's doing what you said only to find it was something else. 

[TnRiver46]

I love recalls, new stuff free 

[Bird]

I have a 2021 F250 Super duty 4wd, no recall.

[Woody B]

There was a recall in the late 80's.  I don't remember what parts were replace but it repaired the problem for several customers, and friends of mine.  One of my racing friends had a motorhome with a Ford chassis.  It would get so bad he's have to come to a complete stop.  The recall fixed it.  

 

Disclaimer, my truck has an open recall for some kind of radio software issue.  I haven't, and probably won't take the time to get it done.  If it were a safety recall I'd get it done.  

 

The TV station in the video you listed is a local station for me.  

[slonezp]

5 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

That's not correct.  This problem will always exist in the design of this type of front axle/suspension and you cannot have certain characteristics in a vehicle using any other type of front axle/suspension, so if you want your heavy towing truck or your "flexy" off-road truck or Jeep you will always have a solid front axle using a drag-link/track bar design. 

 

I have fixed bump steer and death wobble on the Jeeps of family, friends, and friends of friends to the tune of more than I can count.  No one is going to "break the seal" on anything.  Ford has found that either slightly changing the geometry or using bushing made out of a different material or maybe installing a steering damper will fix or delay this.  You don't have it.  When your bushings wear more you will. 

 

I know you are a reasonable guy because you've been on here a long time so I can't figure your intent here.  Everyone has suggested the repair and you have argued with everyone.  Why ask?  It's your truck.  If you are worried about the dealer fix just don't do it.  You'll have a lot of wobble one day and you can fix it then.  You may have to pay for it if you're past 150,000 miles, but it's not an expensive fix.

It's actually easy to diagnose exactly where the issue is if you know how to do it.  Takes two people and 60 seconds for me to find the problem.

That's the kind of information I was looking for. There are a bunch of shade tree mechanics on YouTube and truck forums all with different opinions on the cause of it. I've heard the wobble is caused by tire issues, camber, misalignment etc.

[BigAngus752]

7 hours ago, slonezp said:

That's the kind of information I was looking for. There are a bunch of shade tree mechanics on YouTube and truck forums all with different opinions on the cause of it. I've heard the wobble is caused by tire issues, camber, misalignment etc.

The major thing is...it's always caused by a number of different things.  That's the major diagnostic issue.  Your truck has had the potential for it from the day it rolled off the factory line.  It's a combination of things wearing down or wearing out that cause it to start happening.  I'm curious what Fords fix is for it because they wouldn't do a recall if they hadn't pinned down one specific thing that tends to cause it.  That's why I, personally, would be running to get the recall done.  You don't experience it right now.  They can't screw it up.  When someone comes to me with a Jeep that has death wobble I check to see what's worn and then I start doing BBB; bushings, ball joints and bearings.  But the thing is, maybe they wouldn't have "death wobble", but then one front caliper starts binding just a liiiiiittttle bit.  Then suddenly they have death wobble.  That's TOUGH to figure out.  You go through the front end and replace all the bushings and install an aftermarket steering damper only to find out if you had just replaced one front caliper you could have used those bushings for another 30,000 miles.  I'm going to have to look up what the Ford fix is.  Very interested.  Unfortunately we are without internet but we finally got our power back on!  Yay!  I really don't think you need to get stressed either way.  If you don't want the recall done you can definitely have the problem fixed if it starts getting bad later.  No need to throw the truck away. 

[slonezp]

2 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

The major thing is...it's always caused by a number of different things.  That's the major diagnostic issue.  Your truck has had the potential for it from the day it rolled off the factory line.  It's a combination of things wearing down or wearing out that cause it to start happening.  I'm curious what Fords fix is for it because they wouldn't do a recall if they hadn't pinned down one specific thing that tends to cause it.  That's why I, personally, would be running to get the recall done.  You don't experience it right now.  They can't screw it up.  When someone comes to me with a Jeep that has death wobble I check to see what's worn and then I start doing BBB; bushings, ball joints and bearings.  But the thing is, maybe they wouldn't have "death wobble", but then one front caliper starts binding just a liiiiiittttle bit.  Then suddenly they have death wobble.  That's TOUGH to figure out.  You go through the front end and replace all the bushings and install an aftermarket steering damper only to find out if you had just replaced one front caliper you could have used those bushings for another 30,000 miles.  I'm going to have to look up what the Ford fix is.  Very interested.  Unfortunately we are without internet but we finally got our power back on!  Yay!  I really don't think you need to get stressed either way.  If you don't want the recall done you can definitely have the problem fixed if it starts getting bad later.  No need to throw the truck away. 

The fix is

"Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to replace the steering linkage damper with a redesigned part, free of charge(parts and labor), if you experience sustained steering oscillation. This is a one time repair program and your dealer is not required to recreate or verify the issue"

[BigAngus752]

21 minutes ago, slonezp said:

The fix is

"Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to replace the steering linkage damper with a redesigned part, free of charge(parts and labor), if you experience sustained steering oscillation. This is a one time repair program and your dealer is not required to recreate or verify the issue"

Steering damper!  That's the first thing everyone does.  Nothing wrong with that either.  Sounds like they have improved their damper. 

 

EDIT:  Steering dampers also do wonders for bump steer.  Another "feedback" issue with solid front axles and lifted or high center of gravity vehicles. 

[Bankbeater]

Just because it's not doing it now, doesn't mean it won't in the near future.  Get it fixed.

[throttleplate]

More recalls.

Department of Transportation investigates Ford recall of Explorer SUVs

Nation Jun 24, 2023 6:33 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating a Ford Motor Co. recall of more than a quarter-million Explorer SUVs in the U.S. after receiving complaints about repairs intended to prevent the vehicles from unexpectedly rolling away even while placed in park.

The problem, ascribed to fractures of a rear axle mounting bolt that could lead the drive shaft to disconnect, was addressed by a Ford software update designed to apply the electronic parking brake if the drive shaft failed, the agency said. But according to two complaints from vehicle owners, their SUVs behaved erratically following the repair.

In one of those cases, the Explorer would reportedly slam to a complete stop at speeds of up to 30 or 40 miles per hour. In the other, it would reportedly lurch into motion while the driver was attempting to disengage the electronic brake. No injuries were reported in these cases, although the first driver reported striking a utility pole when the Explorer started rolling downhill following an abrupt stop, seemingly because the drivetrain was disengaged.

The original recall covered certain 2020 through 2022 Explorers with 2.3-liter engines, as well as 3-liter and 3.3-liter hybrids, and the 3-liter ST. Also included were 2020 and 2021 Explorer Police hybrids and those with 3.3-liter gas engines. Both of the reported incidents involved 2021 Explorers.

 

[Woody B]

Anyone can check the NHTSA website to see if their vehicle is covered by a recall. 

 

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

[deaknh03]

Maybe wait until it starts then you can make a cool YouTube video of you crashing.